http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/cps/
- The Child Protective Services program
- strives to ensure safe, permanent, nurturing families for children by protecting them from abuse and neglect while attempting to preserve the family unit.
- help prevent further harm to children from intentional physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, exploitation, or neglect by a person responsible for a child's health or welfare.
- also help protect children who have no parent, guardian, or custodian to provide care and supervision, or whose parents or guardians or custodian is unable to provide for the care or supervision and lacks an appropriate alternative child care arrangement.
- Social services staff accomplish all these services through:
- Assessing suspected cases of abuse and neglect
- Assisting the family in diagnosing the problem
- Providing in-home counseling and supportive services to help children stay at home with their families
- Coordinating community and agency services for the family
- Petitioning the court for removal of the child, if necessary
- Providing public information about child abuse, neglect, and dependency